University of Miami Miller School of Medicine researchers have found a link between “dry eye” and chronic pain syndromes and mental health — a finding that suggests that a new paradigm is needed for diagnosis and treatment to improve patient outcomes.

“Our study indicates that some patients with dry eye have corneal somatosensory pathway dysfunction and would be better described as having neuropathic ocular pain,” Anat Galor, M.D., M.S.P.H. (pictured left), associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and the lead author of a groundbreaking study.

Roy C. Levitt, M.D. (pictured right), professor and Vice Chair of Translational Research and Academic Affairs in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine and Pain Management, and corresponding author, noted, “A multidisciplinary approach used for chronic pain treatment may also benefit these dry eye patients.”

The Miller School research team evaluated 154 dry eye patients from the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital, and funding was provided through Galor’s VA career development award.

The American Eye Institute estimates that dry eye affects about 3 million Americans every year. When the eyes do not produce an adequate supply of tears or the tears evaporate too quickly from the surface of the cornea, patients develop an “itchy” or painful sensation. Left untreated, dry eye can lead to inflammation, ulcers, or scars on the cornea.

“Patients’ eyes may become hyper-sensitive to stimuli, such as wind or light, or have spontaneous pain such as a feeling of burning, which is typically associated with nerve injury,” said Levitt.

“Traditionally, eye specialists have treated dry eye with artificial tears or topical medications for the surface of the cornea,” said Galor. “However, even if these treatments improve some dry eye symptoms, many patients continue to report underlying ocular and non-ocular pain.”

Reflecting on the implications of the study, Galor said, “Our highest priority is educating physicians that dry eye represents an overlapping chronic pain condition. Consequently, a multidisciplinary approach should be considered in the diagnosis and pain management of dry eye patients.”